Voyage of the Continental
by Katherine KirkpatrickHoliday House
Ages 12 and up
After three years at a Lowell, Massachusetts mill, sixteen-year-old Emeline McCullough can no longer stand the grueling work. But in 1865, an orphan has few choices. So when Asa Mercer announces his plan to resettle Civil War orphans and widows in the new settlement of Seattle, Washington, Emeline is one of the first to sign up.
Being one of the Mercer Girls is not exactly what Emeline expected. Not only is the journey all the way around the top of South America far more perilous than Emeline imagined, but someone is trying to murder her closest companion. Despite all this, the voyage of the Continental proves to be the adventure of a lifetime, filled with mystery, excitement, friendship, romance, and untold beauty.
Katherine Kirkpatrick’s compelling historical novel, written in the form of a diary, pays homage to the real Mercer Girls who made this intrepid journey and helped to found Seattle.
Author’s Note:
“The true story of the Mercer Girl brides, who came to Seattle from the east coast, holds a special fascination for me. Like these women, I also took a chance by moving west. This book has a lighter tone than my other novels.”
To find out more about the real Mercer Girls, visit www.mercergirls.com
Featured by the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association
Recommended by the Seattle Times and Seattle Post Intelligencer
“The combination of historical detail, murder mystery, and romance works well. . . . Readers who enjoy lighthearted historical romance will find that this one fills the bill.” –School Library Journal
Written in the form of a diary, Emeline and her adventures come alive. . . . A lively look at a slice of American history.” –Kirkus